British Steam

Gotta love the British steam. I appreciate the bumpers on the front there. Those always stand out to me!

James Watt, a British engineer, developed an improved steam engine in 1776 that led to the Industrial Revolution, and the British became leaders in the technology. As a young engineer in the 1970s, I worked for a company that was attempting to develop an efficient automotive steam engine. Although the era of railroad steam locomotives had ended two decades before, there still were British engineers who were experts in steam engine design and thermodynamics. They worked with us as consultants and were very knowledgeable, refined, erudite and interesting. It seemed to me that they still were believers in steam engines.

MELGAR

@VaGolfer1950 posted:

I thought I'd share some pictures my good friend in England sent me today taken during an outing yesterday. I was over there 3 years ago and there are lots of steam engines in the UK still providing passenger service.

Do you know which heritage line those pics are from?  I've been to several, but I don't recognize the location.

@MELGAR posted:

James Watt, a British engineer, developed a steam engine in 1776 that led to the Industrial Revolution, and the British became leaders in the technology. As a young engineer in the 1970s, I worked for a company that was attempting to develop an efficient automotive steam engine. Although the era of railroad steam locomotives had ended two decades before, there still were British engineers who were experts in steam engine design and thermodynamics. They worked with us as consultants and were very knowledgeable, refined, erudite and interesting. It seemed to me that they still were believers in steam engines.

MELGAR

The original steampunks?

I suspect that the only steam locos in the UK providing passenger service are for tourist attractions.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

@Landsteiner posted:

I suspect that the only steam locos in the UK providing passenger service are for tourist attractions.  Not that there's anything wrong with that.

We actually run quite a lot of steam on the mainline. Here is a link showing some trips this year.

https://www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips-2022

There are more than 150 heritage railways across Britain covering 560 miles of track between 460 stations. The black engine is one of West Somerset Railway engines. The blue one is Caledonia Railway which is a Scottish railway.

I lived in London as a teenager.  Steam was still in mainline service.  It was rare to see a Diesel.  My family lived a short walk from Victoria Station.  I remember spending many an afternoon on the platforms watching steam trains arrive and depart.

The big event was the departure of the Golden Arrow for Paris.  They would have to use a pusher to start the train up the grade leaving the station.  Pushers were easy in Britain because of the buffer plates.  The pusher wasn't coupled to the train.

The Brighton Belle was another great train.  It was electric (third rail) and all Pullman.  Another show were the boat trains to Southampton.  These trains carried Pullmans and dinners and met ocean liners at the port.  These trains ran out onto the dock next to the ship.  My family took one of these trains when we returned to the US on the SS United States.  The usual power was a Merchant Navy class pacific.  

There were also many local steam trains that ran to and from non-electrified branch lines.  These were usually powered by a 2-6-2 tank engine.  

I am grateful that the Brits have preserved their steam heritage.  Someday I would like to go back for a last look.  NH Joe

@New Haven Joe posted:

My family took one of these trains when we returned to the US on the SS United States.

Joe, Do you remember much of your trip on the world's fastest ocean liner?

@Big Jim posted:

Joe, Do you remember much of your trip on the world's fastest ocean liner?

Jim,

This is an interesting question.  I absolutely do remember the trip.  What was even better is that I got a tour of both the bridge and the engine rooms.  Those were places that most passenger never saw.  

A month ago I met another TCA member who also took the United States as a teenager.  We got to compare stories.

The United States was a wonderful ship. It is too bad that the various preservation efforts have so far failed.  I could see her moored in Manhattan as a real tourist attraction.  NH Joe

I do like British steam with a little bit of steam punk in the mix.

I'm curious if any forumites went over there and rode the Romney, Hythe and Dymechurch Railway?

https://www.rhdr.org.uk/

Anyone know how to get their by rail from London?

The problem with North American class 1 freight railroads except UP is that most of them don’t care about their heritage enough to spend the money on steam specials that they view as a liability. It all depends on the whim and attitude of the CEO. Like NS 21st Century Steam was Wick Moorman’s thing.

@prrhorseshoecurve posted:

I'm curious if any forumites went over there and rode the Romney, Hythe and Dymechurch Railway?

https://www.rhdr.org.uk/

Anyone know how to get their by rail from London?

• By Train
  High Speed services available from London St Pancras to Ashford International and Folkestone Central take under 1 hour. Regular bus services depart Folkestone Central to Hythe Station. Alternatively travel to Sandling Station for a country walk or short taxi ride to Hythe Station.
  Find out more here